No. 2055 ~ SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS
Fr. Peter Madden PP VF
31 Sixtowns Road
Telephone: 79628376
Fr Michael McCaul CC
50 Tobermore Road, Desertmartin
Telephone: 79632196
Email: desertmartinparish@gmail.com
PARISH OFFICE
OPENING HOURS: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.
9 High Street
Phone: (028)79628248
SAFEGUARDING
The Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Marie Gormley. To contact Marie Tel: 07596500793, or Email: mariegormley@derrydiocese.org
SVP HELPLINE
Helpline telephone number: 07710838050
SPERRIN FOODBANK
Tel: 07543420639
BALLINASCREEN COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP
Please click the link https://www.parishofballinascreen.com/ballinascreen-community-support-gro for full details of Ballinascreen Community Support Group.
NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN
Notices for the Bulletin should be received by 1.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably by email.
SUNDAY VIGIL MASSES
Holy Rosary: 6.00 pm
St Patrick’s, Keenaught: 7.30 pm
SUNDAY MASSES
St Columba’s, Straw: 9.00 am
St Mary’s, Coolcalm: 10.00 am
St Patrick’s, Sixtowns: 11.00 am
St Eugene’s, Moneyneena: 12 noon
MASSES FOR THIS WEEK
Monday 20 January:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Tuesday 21 January:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Wednesday 22 January:
10.00 am ~ Holy Rosary Church
Thursday 23 January:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
Friday 24 January:
10.00 am ~ St Mary’s Coolcalm
7.30 pm ~ Holy Rosary Church.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Tuesday 21: St Agnes, virgin and martyr.
Friday 24: St Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church.
Saturday 25: Conversion of St Paul, apostle.
CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE
Children in Crossfire raised £4,840.30 and €23 at their collections in the parish last weekend. Ronan and Shauna were thrilled with the kind support they received and wish to sincerely thank everyone who donated and the volunteers who helped. If you missed the collection but would like to make a donation please send it by post to Children in Crossfire, 2 St Joseph’s Avenue, Derry, BT48 6TH or you may donate online at: www.childrenincrossfire.org/donate-advent
Thank you.
DEATHS
We extend our prayerful sympathy to the family and relatives of:
Harry Loane, Motalee, Desertmartin;
Gene Devlin, Maghera;
Eamon Kerlin, London, formerly Oak Park;
Maggie McReynolds (nee Haughey), Lancashire, formerly Drumard;
Bridie Moore, Desertmartin.
ANNIVERSARIES
Peter Joe McNeill,
Patrick McGlone,
Rosalind Donnelly,
Jean McElhinney,
Helena McElhennon.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Weekly Collection: £2105
Renovation Collection £1965.
Thank you for your generous support which is greatly appreciated.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Catholic Schools Week 2025 will be celebrated this week in Derry Diocese. This year’s theme is:
‘Catholic Schools: Alive in Christ’.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Organised by Ballinascreen Community Forum and Workspace - Drop In Event on Tuesday 21 January in Community Hub, High Street. Break the stigma and be part of the solution to drug use in our area. Event will run from 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm, speakers from 7.30pm - 8.00 pm. Information stalls and an opportunity to ask questions. All welcome to attend, refreshments available.
33 DAYS OF FAMILY PRAYER
The 33 days of Family Prayer towards Consecration to Jesus Christ through Mary, as part of a diocesan programme for the Jubilee Year 2025, Pilgrims of Hope continues until Tuesday 11 February, each evening at 7.00 pm on-line, live on the Diocese of Derry Facebook page. The final day of the Consecration on 11 February will be in St Eugene's Cathedral, Derry. (Full details to be announced later). Further details at: derrydiocese.org/consecration
DERRY DIOCESAN YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA
Young people aged 16 + are invited to join this diocesan pilgrimage to Fatima for 4 nights from 14 July to 18 July. This will be a unique experience for young people and an opportunity to engage with their peers from around the world in a faith context. Cost is £700 and there will be a budget plan to help with this. Names and deposit of £100 are required as soon as possible please. For more details or to book in please...
Email: lizzie.rea@derrydiocese.org or Tel.: 028 71264087.
JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025
A Teach us to Pray handbook for the Jubilee Year of Hope, is inspired by the teachings of Pope Francis and is freely available to download on the Derry diocesan website.
CHRISTIAN UNITY WEEK
To celebrate this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Christ Church along with The Association of Iconographers Ireland, invite you to an Exhibition of Icons in St. Eugene’s Cathedral Hall, Infirmary Road, Derry from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 January. 10.30 am - 8.30 pm. Entry to exhibition is free, everyone welcome.
PRE- SCHOOL AND PRIMARY 1 ADMISSIONS
EA Connect Portal is open for online Pre-School and P 1 Admissions until 12 noon Friday 24 January.
ACCORD
Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service CLG is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators. If you are supportive of marriage in the Catholic Church; and have the enthusiasm to be part of the Accord team that supports couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage, then Accord wishes to hear from you!
An Accord marriage preparation facilitator is a personally fulfilling role, blending life experience and faith. Successful applicants will receive professional training in the programme and be part of a team delivering programmes locally.
Contact Aisling on 01 5053112 or Email: marriagepreparation@accord.ie
For more details see www.accord.ie
JANUARY’S WARM WELCOME WEDNESDAY
Monthly Luncheon Club on Wednesday 22 January in Workspace Community Hub. Doors open at 11.00 am and lunch will be served at 12.15 pm. Places are limited so booking is essential. To confirm your place, please contact Workspace on 028 7962 8113 by 12 noon on Monday 20 January.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY GROUP
Chair Exercises in Sixtowns Hall from Monday 20 January for a 6 week block, from 11.00 am to 12 noon. £3 per class or £15 for six classes. No need to book.
Yoga classes in Sixtowns Hall from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm for a 4 week block beginning Wednesday 22 January. £25 is payable on the first evening. Please contact 07769289385 to book a space.
NETBALL
Ladies netball resumes after the Christmas break in Backrow Hall on Wednesdays from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Over 18’s only.
New members welcome. Come along for fun and exercise. Contact Martina on 07795165999 for more information or just turn up on the night.
SIXTOWNS HISTORY AND HERITAGE GROUP
Evening of cross making in Shepherds’ Rest on the Eve of St Bridget Friday January 31 from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Traditional session will follow the making of the crosses (after 9.00 pm).
Come along and keep this great old tradition alive. All are welcome.
IRISH LANGUAGE CLASSES RANGANNA GAEILGE
Adult Irish language classes will recommence on Thursday 23 January from 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm. Cost for this 10 week block will be £40. Tá fáilte roimh chách. Everyone welcome!
For further information or to register please Tel.: 07795536682 or Email: conchurglor@gmail.com
BABY MASSAGE CLASSES
Baby massage and reflexology classes start end of January please message Rosie on 07749121208 for more details.
SIXTOWNS CROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
Social and Old Tyme dance classes for beginners will be held on Tuesday 21 January in Sixtowns Hall at 8.30 pm. All welcome.
LITTLE WOMBLES CROSS COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP
Fundraiser Pub Quiz in The Market Inn on Friday 7 February at 8.00 pm.
Coffee Morning and Official Opening of their new premises on Saturday 1 March from 10.00 am to 12 noon. All are welcome.
IRISH DANCING CLASSES
O’Neill Academy of Irish Dance, classes resume every Thursday at 4,45 pm in Ráth Dubh Moneyneena.
New members welcome.
HOSPICE BOOK LAUNCH
A book celebrating the Life of Dr Tom McGinley – founder of the Foyle Hospice, written by Dr Keith Munro, will be launched on Wednesday 29 January at 7.15 pm in St Columb’s Hall, Orchard Street, Derry BT48 6EG. Doors open at 6.45 pm Entry is free, but booking is essential at www.ticketsource.co.uk/stcolumbshall
Book costs £15 (cash only, please). Proceeds to Foyle Hospice. Derry.
PARISH BAPTISMS 2025
Baptisms: Sundays at 3.00 pm and bookings to be made please via the Parish Office. Tel.: 028 79628248 or Email: ballinascreenparish@gmail.com
January 26 ~ Holy Rosary Church
February 2 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
February16 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
February 23 ~ St Columba’s Straw
March 9 ~ Holy Rosary Church
March 23 ~ St Patrick’s Sixtowns
March 30 ~ St Eugene’s Moneyneena
April 6 ~ St Columba’s Straw
April 13 ~ Holy Rosary Church.
DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
Pilgrimage led by Bishop McKeown, from Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July 2025, leaving from City of Derry Airport. Price £849 plus insurance and single supplement if required. The Pilgrimage Office at 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ will not be open for booking until Saturday 1 February 2025, 11.00 am to 1.00 pm (and each following Saturday and Thursday at the same time unless notified). However, gift vouchers are now available from Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry. Email derrypilgrim@outlook.com
PARISH ANNIVERSARY AND MONTH’S MIND MASSES
If you wish to have a deceased loved one prayed for at any Anniversary Friday Mass, you MUST please email their name to Ballinascreen Parish Office by noon on Thursday of the relevant week. Notices for First Anniversary and Month's Mind Masses should be received before the Wednesday of the previous week so that, they may be printed in the Bulletin the weekend before the Anniversary Mass
KNOCKNAGIN HALL
Chair Exercises: Tuesdays 10.00 am.
Irish language class recommences on Monday 20 January at 7.30 pm.
Irish Dancing lessons: Tuesdays at 6.00 pm. To register contact Nicola on 07518207458.
Arts Care, Here & Now programme: Thursdays at 2.00 pm.
Mid-Ulster District Council Cook It programme - 7 Days 7 Dinners: Two week cooking sessions on Tuesday 18 and 25 January. Registration necessary. To register contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 02879642711.
Jiving Classes will commence on Wednesday 12 February at 8.00 pm for 5 weeks. To register contact Olive 07887614094, Kathleen 07764277809 or Anne 02879 642711.
Sarsfield’s Accordion Band
Sarsfield’s Band & Div. 30 offer its sincere sympathy to the Loane family circle on the death of their lifelong member, Harry.
Tickets for 2025 monthly draw now on sale, £1 a month, £12 for the year, £50 prize each month.
Band practice every Thursday at 7.30 pm. All members are asked to please attend in preparation for St. Patrick’s Day Parade, in Magherafelt. New and past members welcome
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS As we pray for the grace to use our God-given gifts as God would wish us to use them we pray in particular for those called to use them as priests in the service of the parishes and people of our diocese. |
